Northbridge's Green seeking 9th Worcester District seat

Northbridge Democrat Marty Green will be running for the 9th Worcester District state representative seat this November, saying he hopes to advocate for the area.

Green, a former Northbridge selectman and onetime executive director of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, is among the candidates seeking the seat held by Republican George Peterson, who is retiring. Green is the only Democrat in the race - Republicans David Muradian and Shawn Craig are seeking their party's nomination.

The seat represents Grafton, Upton and Northbridge.

"I've always wanted to serve - I would've done it years ago, but the timing wasn't right," Green said. "Now that there will be a vacant seat, there's an opportunity to bring new leadership to the region."

Green said, as a longtime resident of the area, he understands the challenges faced by residents. He listed education and road funding as two primary issues facing the district's towns.

"The state education funding formula is not enough to support all the unfunded mandates (imposed on local districts)," he said. "I'm committed to not supporting any unfunded mandates."

Green said the road maintenance funding provided by the state was inadequate for the region's needs.

"Our roads and bridges are in poor condition," he said. "We need to bring back more to the region."

According to Green, the district will need strong leadership in the Legislature in order to see the resources needed to address these changes.

"Sending a freshman Republican in a Democratic state will not help in the advocacy of bringing resources back to the district," he said. "My voice will be heard."

Green said, although he is not facing a primary, he has spent a good deal of time canvassing the district's voters in an effort to hear their concerns.

"I'm not going to be a lifelong politician," Green said, adding that he would be retaining his real estate business, and could return to it if need be.

Green's opponent will be determined in the Sept. 9 state primary. Muradian, an aide to Peterson, has received Peterson's endorsement. Craig, an Iraq War veteran, is an Upton Finance Committee member.

Mike Gleason can be reached at 508-634-7546 or mgleason@wickedlocal.com. For news throughout the day, follow him on Twitter @MGleason_MDN.